Game system and storage medium storing game program

• US 9,327,192 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Nonaka, Toyokazu, Izuno, Toshiharu, Nishimura, Kentaro, Tanaka, Kenta, Ito, Norihito, Okada, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, Steve
• Application Number:
  US11/984,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,091 Days
• Field of Search: 345/138, 463/31, 463/37
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.

Claims

1. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing, a game apparatus in communication with the game controller, and an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction input device which is provided in the housing for receiving a direction input, and

the game apparatus including:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game controller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

combining the determined movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data, to produce a corrected movement vector;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

4. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a left-right direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

7. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

9. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to receive an input,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to receive input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a reference direction by changing the reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing,

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the forward direction.

12. The game system according to claim 2, wherein

a direction of the movement vector is determined with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device, and

the processor further sets the direction of the movement vector, which is already determined and corrected, as a new forward direction of the object, and changes a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

42. The game system according to claim 6, wherein

the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other, and

the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

44. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is configured to be held in at least one hand of the player.

45. The game system according to claim 44, wherein the direction input device is provided so that, when the player holds the housing, the direction input device is operable with a thumb of the one hand.

11. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus in communication with the game controller,

the game controller including:

a housing;

a direction input device provided so that, when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction input device is operable by the player'"'"'s thumb; and

a movement detector for detecting movement of the housing, and

the game apparatus including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate image of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input supplied to the direction input device of the game controller and movement data corresponding to movement detected by the movement detector;

determining, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data, a forward direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in a forward direction of the housing, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in a backward direction of the housing, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing;

combining the movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the movement data from the same received transmission of operation data resulting from rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing, to produce a corrected movement vector for increasing a movement amount of the object in the forward direction of the virtual game world;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

13. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus in communication with the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing;

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving direction input, and

the game apparatus including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector of the game controller;

determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

combining the determined movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data, to produce a corrected movement vector;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a predetermined axial direction of the housing.

15. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward direction of the housing.

16. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a leftward or rightward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

17. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

18. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction.

19. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to receive an input,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

20. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to receive an input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the movement vector is determined so as to move the object in a reference direction by changing the reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing, and

the correction vector is determined so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the forward direction of the housing.

22. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

a direction of the movement vector is determined with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device, and

the executed instructions further control the game apparatus to set the direction of the movement vector, which is already determined and corrected, as a new forward direction of the object, and change a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

43. The game system according to claim 17, wherein

the first axis and the second axis of the housing are perpendicular to each other, and

the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

21. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus in communication with the game controller,

the game controller including:

a housing;

a direction input device provided so that, when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction input device is operable with a thumb of the one hand for receiving an input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing, and

the game apparatus including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector of the game controller;

determining, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data, a forward direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the forward direction of the housing, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the backward direction of the housing, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing;

combining the movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data resulting from acceleration generated in the forward direction of the housing, to produce a corrected movement vector for increasing a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

23. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing, a game apparatus in communication with the game controller, and an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction input device which is provided in the housing for receiving a direction input, and

the game apparatus including:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game controller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data; and

moving the object in the virtual game world, based on the determined movement direction and the determined movement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

24. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus in communication with the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing;

an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving direction input, and

the game apparatus including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector of the game controller;

determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the determined movement direction and the determined movement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

25. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing, a game apparatus in communication with the game controller, and an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction input device which is provided in the housing for receiving a direction input, and

the game apparatus including:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game controller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a position of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data; and

moving the object in the virtual game world by changing the determined position of the object by the determined displacement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

26. The game system according to claim 25, wherein a displacement amount of the object is determined in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

27. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

28. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

29. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

30. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

31. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the position of the object is moved in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

32. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the position of the object is moved in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

33. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to receive an input,

the position of the object is moved in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the position of the object is moved in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the second direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

34. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to receive an input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the position of the object is moved in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the leftward or rightward direction.

41. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

a new position of the object is determined with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device, and

the executed instructions further control the game apparatus to set a direction in the virtual game world, in which the position of the object is moved, as a new forward direction of the object, and change a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

35. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus in communication with the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing;

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input, and

the game apparatus including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, each of one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector of the game controller;

determining a position of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data; and

moving the object by changing the determined position of the object by the determined displacement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

36. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a forward or backward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward or backward direction of the housing.

37. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

38. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to receive an input,

the position of the object is moved in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.

39. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to receive an input,

the position of the object is moved in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the position of the object is moved in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

40. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction input device includes at least a stick which is configured for inclining in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to receive an input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the position of the object is moved in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction input to the direction input device when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and

the displacement amount is determined so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

46. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing and a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input;

the game apparatus in communication with the game controller; and

an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game controller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input device data from the received transmission of operation data;

combining the determined movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data, to produce a corrected movement vector;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

47. A non-transitory 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 ;

a direction input device provided so that, when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction input device is operable with a thumb of the one hand for receiving an input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

a movement detector for detecting movement of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input supplied to the direction input device of the game controller and movement data corresponding to movement of the game controller detected by the movement detector;

determining, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data, a forward direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the forward direction of the housing, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the backward direction of the housing, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing;

combining the movement vector with a correction vector based on the movement detector data from the same received transmission of operation data resulting from rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing, to produce a corrected movement vector fo r increasing a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

48. A non-transitory 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;

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector;

determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

combining the determined movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data, to produce a corrected movement vector; and

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

49. A non-transitory 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;

a direction input device provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction input device is operable with a thumb of the one hand for receiving an input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generates images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector;

determining, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data, a forward direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the forward direction of the housing, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the backward direction of the housing is received by the direction input device, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the direction input data corresponds to input to the direction input device in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing;

combining the movement vector with a correction vector determined based on the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data when acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing, to produce a corrected movement vector for increasing a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the corrected movement vector; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

50. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing and a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input;

the game apparatus in communication with the game controller; and

an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game cotnroller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data;

moving the object in the virtual game world based on the determined movement direction and the determined movement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

51. A non-transitory 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;

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector;

determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data;

moving of the object in the virtual game world based on the determined movement direction and the determined movement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

52. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing and a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input;

the game apparatus in communication with the game controller; and

an orientation detector for detecting aspects of orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation of the game controller detected by the orientation detector;

determining a position of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data;

moving the object by changing the determined position of the object by the determined displacement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

53. A non-transitory 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;

an acceleration detector for detecting acceleration associated with the housing; and

a direction input device provided in the housing for receiving a direction input,

the game program causing the computer to control the game apparatus to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by at least;

receiving, from the game controller, a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input received by the direction input device of the game controller and acceleration data corresponding to acceleration detected by the acceleration detector;

determining a position of an object, which appears in the virtual game world, in accordance with the direction input data from the received transmission of operation data;

determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration data from the same received transmission of operation data;

moving the object by changing the determined position of the object by the determined displacement amount; and

generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.

54. A game system for playing a game in which a game object moves in a virtual game world, the game system comprising:

an orientation sensor for sensing aspects of an orientation of a game controller;

a multi-directional input device; and

a processor configured to generate images of a virtual game world, one or more of the images being generated by receiving a transmission of operation data including both direction input data corresponding to a direction input supplied to the multi-directional input device and orientation data corresponding to aspects of orientation sensed by the orientation sensor, moving the game object in the virtual game world based on direction input data and orientation data from the same received transmission of operation data, and generating, for display, an image of the virtual game world after the moving of the object.